MosquitoNix Advises to Fight Mosquitos as Early as March

Company Urges Awareness of Mosquitos, West Nile Virus and Chikungunya

CARROLLTON, TX--(Marketwired - Mar 25, 2015) - MosquitoNix®, the nation's leader in mosquito control and mosquito misting systems, is advising people, especially those who live in warmer areas, to start the fight against mosquitos as early as March this year. Aggressive steps against mosquitos are spurred by reports in 2014, of a large number of West Nile virus cases and an outbreak of Chikungunya. The MosquitoNix team is on hand to protect homes and businesses from mosquitos, and ensure a carefree spring and summer.

In 2014, the World Health Organization dubbed the mosquito the world's most dangerous animal. Every year more than 1 million people die of mosquito-borne illnesses worldwide. On January 13, 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that it recorded 2,122 human cases of West Nile Virus and 85 deaths in the United States in 2014. A total of 47 states and District of Columbia reported West Nile Virus in people, birds or mosquitos.

A lesser known, albeit an equally worrisome virus called Chikungunya, swept the Caribbean and surrounding nations at the end of 2013, and throughout 2014, rapidly infecting hundreds of thousands of people. The CDC reported that 1,110 Americans were infected with the virus when they traveled to areas where Chikungunya is more common. Chikungunya spreads fast because it is easily transmitted from people to mosquitos and vice versa. In December 2014, the CDC confirmed that 11 cases of Chikungunya in Florida were locally transmitted. Chikungunya causes fever and joint pain, which can last for months. There is no vaccine for Chikungunya.

"Our mission at MosquitoNix is to protect people's outdoor lifestyles from mosquitos and mosquito-borne illnesses," said Dan O'Neal, Chairman & CEO of FEMO Group Holdings, MosquitoNix's parent company. "We are very concerned about the high number of West Nile virus cases and the rapid spread of Chikungunya in the Americas. We want people to know that MosquitoNix is at the ready to kill mosquitos. And following such a wet winter, we urge everyone to disrupt the breeding cycle early so that mosquitos and the diseases they transmit, never have a chance to harm their families," he added.

Treating for mosquitos before the season starts is effective because it interrupts the mosquito breeding cycle. Male mosquitos die in the fall, when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Female mosquitos, however, hibernate during the winter. They come out of hiding when temperatures reach 50 degrees again. That's when they start looking for blood meals to produce eggs. In most Southern states this happens in early March.

"Just because our country has seen a cold winter with notable snow storms, doesn't mean that hibernating mosquitos were killed. In fact, long wet winters exacerbate the problem because a moist ground creates the perfect condition for mosquitos to lay and hatch eggs," said Mike O'Neal, General Manager of MosquitoNix-Dallas. "We at MosquitoNix want to help people create safe and fun outdoor memories all spring and summer long and that's why we are proud to offer peace of mind, in the form of mosquito control, to more and more people," he added.

Following are four things people can do to help prevent mosquito bites and enjoy the outdoors:

1. Use insect repellents when you go outdoors.
2. Wear long sleeves and pants from dusk through dawn when many mosquitoes are most active.
3. Install or repair screens on windows and doors. If you have it, use your air conditioning.
4. Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home. Empty standing water from containers such as flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths.

To effectively kill mosquitos and reduce the chances of catching a life threatening disease, MosquitoNix offers a permanent solution with its installed misting systems. MosquitoNix misting system nozzles are placed every ten to twelve feet around the perimeter of a property and on average mist three to four times per day, to interrupt the mosquito's breeding cycle. Pyrethrum, permethrin and essential oils are the active ingredients used in MosquitoNix mosquito control systems. MosquitoNix also offers a temporary solution called QuickNix™ 3-Step treatment, which includes fogging, granules and larvicide (Bt-israelensis (Bt-i)) applications.

ABOUT MOSQUITONIX®MosquitoNix®, a division of FEMO Group Franchise System, is the nation's leader in mosquito misting systems, servicing tens of thousands of customers in more than 400 U.S. cities and nine countries. MosquitoNix offers installed misting systems and ongoing barrier treatments called QuickNix™ 3 Step Treatment using effective solutions to eliminate flying or biting insects such as mosquitoes, no-see-ums, flies, fleas, and ticks. MosquitoNix empowers customers to protect their families against mosquitoes and enjoy their outdoor lifestyles. An industry expert, MosquitoNix focuses on customer service and manufactures its own systems. Learn more about MosquitoNix at www.MosquitoNix.com.

ABOUT FEMO GROUP HOLDINGS LPFEMO Group Holdings is the parent company for MosquitoNix® of Dallas, MosquitoNix® of Ft. Worth/Mid-Cities, FEMO Group Franchise Systems, PestFix® and FEMO Products.